Beautiful Skin Blog by Belisi

The idea of adding to my beauty arsenal sort of terrifies me. For starters, I like to think my current products are working for me. Secondly, which product do I trade in? Which products can I use together? And then I think about all the different kinds of products on the market that all claim to do pretty much the same thing: brighten, tighten, lift, glow, erase wrinkles, age spots, and undereye circles and pay your taxes. Okay, not the last part.

So where do I start? I realize that sometimes a routine can become stagnant and a little change is a good thing. As the seasons change or if I'm in a new climate, chances are I should probably consider adjusting my skincare routine. One rule for me is that the products should derive from natural ingredients. Call me crazy but I just don't believe that any human-made ingredient can trump nature. That being said, sometimes nature is messy--and gross. The idea of smearing fresh egg whites on my face makes me cringe. It's just too close to nature. So sometimes scientists have to refine it. I've heard about the beauty benefits of egg whites before--that it's great for lifting and firming the face--and now it comes in a non-yucky product by JOEY called Egg Cream. It doesn't have a fancy name but the results it induces are ambitious.

JOEY claims that its nature-inspired Egg Cream tones, tightens, firms, contours, smooths, improves skin textures, hydrates and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. The company reports that studies confirm that when used regularly, there is a reduction of the appearance of superficial lines by 36% and an increase in skin firmness by 21% within 4 weeks. Is it true? I just ordered mine, so I'll let you know!

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

Admit it or not but we’re all secretly hoping for a magic potion to keep Father Time at bay. While I won’t give up hope, I realize there really isn’t a fountain of youth. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and age “gracefully”.

Retinol has been around for a while—available originally through dermatogolists to treat hyperpigmentation, photodamage, and pore size.  Today, many products include retinol. Great, right? Saves a trip to the dermatologist. Unfortunatley, not all Retinol products are created equally. 

So how do you choose the most effective Retinol product for your needs and using it properly to get the results you want?

Follow these tips:

• Retinol products containing pure and stable Vitamin A are most effective. Retinol’s structure allows it to immediately get to work improving skin’s appearance. In contrast, Retinol esters (pro retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, etc.) first have to be converted into Retinol before they can begin to work.

• Retinol fights fine lines and deep wrinkles. Whether you want to prevent future signs of aging or want to appear years younger (or both!), there’s a Retinol product suited to your needs. For deeper wrinkles, opt for a formula that offers an ultra-effective combination of Retinol and an Essential Mineral Complex.

• Retinol’s strength is not only determined by its concentration.  Retinol’s effectiveness relies heavily on its formulation and delivery system. A product containing a higher percentage level of Retinol will not necessarily work better or faster.

• Retinol must penetrate skin to improve it. Delivering Retinol in an encapsulated form enables it to penetrate into the skin’s surface, improving performance. Many other over-the-counter products only topically coat the skin, compromising results.
• Retinol can degrade if not packaged properly. An air-tight, opaque tube or bottle helps maintain the formula’s stability by preventing oxygen or UV-light penetration.

• Retinol works best when introduced gradually to your regimen. Using Retinol is like training for a marathon. Slowly build up your tolerance level—begin by applying a product containing Retinol every other day. Once your skin adjusts to this effective ingredient, you’ll be able to incorporate it into a daily skincare regimen with little chance of flaking or redness.

• Retinol products can be safely used on sunny days. You don’t have to forego Retinol’s anti-aging benefits during daytime hours. A formula containing SPF 30 will provide adequate protection from the sun’s rays like RoC’s newest product Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer With SPF 30.

• Retinol will complement AHA (Alpha hydroxy acids). Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin, enabling Retinol to penetrate into the skin’s surface even more efficiently. A product containing both ingredients is best used at night to avoid sensitivity.

• Retinol can help prevent the signs of premature aging. Early use of products containing pure and stable Retinol will help to combat fine lines before they start to appear noticeable, so skin continues to look years younger than it’s true age.

• Retinol improves more than just wrinkles. It not only reduces the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles, but also improves skin tone, the signs of photodamage and pore size. Combined with sun protection, it’s the gold standard in anti-aging.

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

So now you know how to clear up the occasional bout of adult acne, prevent fine lines and wrinkles (or at least try), and use makeup to hide imperfections (see Celebrity Beauty Secrets Part I and II). Now what about the rest of you? With warm weather knocking at our formerly frost-bitten doors, a girl has got to look golden. Say goodbye to pasty skin, lifeless hair and those extra winter pounds with these celebrity beauty secrets.

The Perfect Tan

So what do Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Paris and Nikki Hilton, and Nicole Richie have in common? Yes they’re all famous and they’re never seen without a perfect tan (hey, you still should look good in your mug shot or psych ward intake photo right?)

And where else do these celebutants and leading ladies get their bronzed glows than LA Sunset Tan. You know, the notorious LA tanning spa featured on E! Entertainment’s hit reality TV show “Sunset Tan”. Who can forget the Olly Girls?

“At LA Sunset Tan, we provide the star treatment to our clients that keep celebrity clientele including Jessica Alba, Lindsey Lohan and the Hilton sisters looking radiantly bronzed," says Kevin Haman, CEO and Founder of LA Sunset Tan.  "Our signature “LA Sunset Tan Cocktail” offers guests VIP robe service and complimentary beverages as they slip from the state-of-the-art, high-pressure bed into a sunless spray unit in order to achieve the freshest golden glow."

LA Sunset Tan even offers a spray tan that defines muscles, giving the look of a six pack. Is anything real anymore? If it looks good, who cares right?

A Cure for Cellulite

From patented solutions to natural remedies, celebs have access to the best cosmetic surgeons and doctors. Besides the make-up artists, hair stylists and fashion designers, some stars turn to talented doctors to transform flaws into assets—literally overnight.

Dr. Lionel Bissoon (www.Mesotherapy.com), who brought the cellulite cure from France to the US eight years ago, then stabilized the solution and the delivery technique, turned his talents toward rejuvenation that can make a difference instantly.

Called Mesotherapy, this method is simply dozens of quick pricks with small amounts of solution injected almost painlessly into the middle layer of the skin. Mesotherapy produces consistently effective results for stars of any shape, size, or weight.

When celebrities need a quick lift, Dr. Bissoon uses The Mesolift, a rejuvenation technique that can take years off a face while also giving the illusion that the star has lost weight-a thinner sculpted face makes the body appear slimmer.

The Mesolift process delivers vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly into the skin to nourish and rejuvenate, promote production of collagen and elastin, and stimulate the metabolism. Anti-aging solutions that are actually good for you.

The solutions work immediately, so sagging jowls, droopy eyes, a puffy face, or a double chin disappear almost as soon as they are injected. So the celebrity can even visit Dr. Bissoon Oscar day (or for any event in front of cameras) and walk out of his office looking refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated for the evening.

Almost as fast is body sculpting for love handles, back fat or saddlebags, which paparazzi capture with unflattering accuracy (or company picnic photos for the rest of us). Through the use of proprietary fat burning solutions injected into the "meso" or middle layer of the skin the fat cells are permanently destroyed and the body eliminates them naturally through the bloodstream in just a few weeks.

Oscar Day arrives and voila! celebs walk the red carpet toned and tightened with thinner thighs and smooth buttocks beaming with a healthy happy glow.

Crowsfeet and Fine Lines

“As nominees and celebrities prepare for their close ups, many of them look for small changes; maybe they are tired of the crows’ feet around their eyes or they would like fuller, plumper lips. For them, injectable fillers are a great answer,” says Dr. 90210 Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul S. Nassif.

The key is subtle enhancements that don’t sound the alarm. That’s why Dr. Nassif developed "The Anti-Gravity Facelift," which leaves no visible scars and has been noted for achieving natural-looking results in the shortest recovery time.

You don’t have to have celebrity bank accounts to take advantage of the many non-invasive cosmetic procedures out there such as the diamond-abrasion photofacial (microdermabrasion without the messy crystals), which costs no more than $300.

No Fuss Hair

Ever wonder how celebrities look great even in those candid photos? Almost everyone looks fabulous if her hair looks fantastic. So do celebrities have stylists do their hair every single day? Of course not! They just know how to blow dry their hair. And you can too. Raymond Marc Salon in Walnut Creek, California offers blowdrying classes for the hair challenged (it’s hard holding the blowdryer in one hand and the brush in the other!). If you can’t make it to California, make an appointment at your local salon for a lesson, or pick up a hair styling video at www.stylelikeapro.com.

At-home beauty remedies

Want glowing skin like Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon without the high cost of chemical peels, facials and expensive spa treatments?

Look no further than your medicine cabinet! For smooth feet, glowing skin and gorgeous hair, Epsom Salt has been the beauty secret for stylish and savvy women for decades. For just pennies a pound and available at your local drugstore or supermarket, Epsom Salt is a proven way to achieve a red carpet ready look.

Epsom Salt is a great at-home spa treatment that is easy to use as a gentle face mask, an exfoliating skin treatment, or a bath salt, leaving skin radiant and glowing.

Exfoliate: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.

Gentle facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Relaxing soak (remember, stress aging you): Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of warm, deep conditioner and Epsom Salt. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Foot scrub: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub the heels and dry, rough patches on the feet. Repeat every few days.

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

Celebrities know all the great beauty tricks for looking younger and hiding flaws. Now you can too.

Younger looking skin

In Hollywood skin regimens, it’s all about prevention. But let’s face it, sometimes Nature has its way with our skin before we realize what’s happening. Stars like Felicity Huffman rely on super serums like Leaf & Rusher Active Serum to stave off the signs of aging. In this heavy-duty beauty product Retinol and vitamin C join forces to battle fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production. 

Foundation that pulls double duty

Ever wonder why celebrity skin looks so great? According to Fatima Olive, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Christy Turlington, Jessica Simpson, Maria Sharapova and Petra Nemcova, it’s because professional makeup artists always use two to three different colors of foundation to highlight and low light different pigments all over the face. Most women don’t realize their skin tone varies and buy only one shade of foundation.

Here’s an easy pro trick: Use a dual foundation compact like Redpoint’s Transformative Dual Foundation. With two shades, you can easily blend and match to bring out a particular feature. The compact is also a great easy tool to have throughout the seasons as skin tone tans and fades. Check out more makeup tips from the pros here.

Even out skin tone

Reese Witherspoon, Daisy Fuentes, Nicollette Sheridan and Jennifer Hudson know something we don’t know … until now anyway. All are fans of Per-fekt Beauty’s skin perfection gel—all-in-one antioxidant enriched primer, sheer foundation and color corrector that dries with a gorgeous powder finish.

This power foundation glides on effortlessly to instantly even skin tone, control oil and reduce the appearance of redness, enlarged pores and fine lines. Alpha Lipoic Acids fight aging and Vitamins A & E repair and protect skin from future damage. Available in 5 sheer shades that perfectly match all skin tones for $57.50 at Sephora.com.

Get a Healthy Glow

Piling on tinted moisturizer is one way to try for the sun-kissed look, or you could hydrate and nourish from the inside out. Drinking enough water (yes, you really should drink 6-8 8 oz. glasses) is a start. Giving your body the nutrients it needs is another way to look like a dewy goddess.

CherryPharm (isn’t that clever?) is a favorite of Courtney Cox and Kate Bosworth for clear, glowing skin. CherryPharm is packed with antioxidants, helping to reduce inflammation and redness—and you get 2-3 servings of fruit in each bottle. Cherries and cheers to looking and feeling great!

Pamper your way to better skin

Looking your best isn’t all pain—it can be a lot of fun taking care of your body and skin. Celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas’s Triple Crown Facial helps leading ladies achieve that young and dewy look (and without Botox!).

Offered in NYC and LA, the Triple Crown Facial begins with the “diamond peel” for gentle exfoliation to remove impurities. Next, the facial muscles and the skin are stimulated with a special microcurrent to tighten and enhance skin elasticity, then it concludes with an oxygen treatment that supplements the skin with all the needed nutrients through vitamin infused 98% pure oxygen.

Plump Up Lips

Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle appeared on The Today Show on Feb. 14, 2008 with gorgeously plump, lush, glossy lips. Her secret?  DermaQuest’s spectacular C-Lipoic Lip Enhancer.

This lip treatment is enhanced with Vitamin C and contains Alpha Lipoic Acid and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, plus additional ingredients to moisturize and increase lip volume. It also stimulates new cell growth for rosy, healthy lips and has a gorgeous orange fragrance and flavor!

Or, you could try a few tricks of the trade. “I find that the oldest trick is outlining in the 1950's ‘crueler’ style,” says celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff.  “Think of Joan Crawford, Lana Turner or Dorothy Dandridge. Going outside the lip line makes lips look dramatically bigger.  Of course if liner is something you don’t use, there are plenty lip plumpers out there.  My favorite is Lip Fusion which comes in many colors.”

Get Toned Skin

The Dynamic Trio: Grapeseed Extract, Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid

Just like a Hollywood star is never a solo act (think personal assistants, managers, stylists, makeup artists, trainers, nutritionists, etc. that help her maintain a glamorous image), no one beauty ingredient treats all skin conditions.

There are three naturally occurring skin-tightening and anti-aging powerhouses catching the attention of celebrities: grapeseed extract, green tea and hyaluronic acid. 

“Grapeseed Extract is a natural skin brightening agent that diminishes uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation,” says David May of PRESCRIBEDsolutions,  a line of high-performance skincare products. It also has benefits as an anti-scarring agent.

Green tea (also known as Canellia sinensis) extract is a mixture of seven polyphenols that react rapidly to inactive free radicals (electrically charged oxygen particles) that are a source of major damage and aging of the skin.

“In clinical trials, green tea extract has been shown to prevent free radical attack 56% longer than an equivalent concentration of Vitamin E,” May says. “Green Tea Extract also enhances the absorption of anti-inflammatory ingredients into the skin.”

Hyaluronic acid may sound ominous but it’s actually an organic acid present in human skin, naturally making it the most effective natural skin moisturizer (it can hold up to 500 times its own weight in water).

According to LiveLonger123.com, hyaluronic acid has been scientifically proven to stimulate new cell growth. When should you use it? Use after exfoliation to protect, hydrate and moisturize (it’s great for all skin types).

You can find all of these ingredients in PRESCRIBEDsolutions’ skincare products including cleansers, anti-aging serums, hydrators  sold exclusively in medical offices.

It’s only natural that celebrities think they’re special enough to have beauty products customer tailored. But you can do this too! Think of it as having a dressed tailored to fit your body type. When visit a doctor’s office that carries the PRESCRIBEDsolutions line, they can customize your skincare solutions with condition specific boosters to address concerns like hyperpigmentation, anti-oxidant protection or the need for firming.

Three Custom Color Specialists is another beauty line that will custom blend makeup to suit your specifications. And there’s nothing like having your own signature style.

::A.Covington for Beautiful Me 

At-home LED machines turn back the clock

Without light we’d all be hollowed out—not to mention pasty—versions of ourselves. Plants wouldn’t grow and the earth would be blanketed in depressing darkness. But unlike those nasty tanning beds, a new kind of light is good for our skin, as much as our psyches. LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been available in dermatologist and cosmetic surgery offices for some time but treatments aren’t cheap and the progress is slow.

Photo: DermStore.com

While you’ll still have to be patient with results, a one-time investment of a few hundred dollars for the recently FDA-approved New-U home unit from Photo Therapeutics, Inc. or the an Evis Marvel-Mini, and getting to erase wrinkles while you watch American Idol seems worth it. The at-home versions don’t have the same amount of diodes per square inch as medical-grade LED machines, so you will have to do the treatments for longer; however the trade-off is worth hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. 

The Omnilux New-U device is designed to treat periorbital wrinkles and general signs of aging. The manufacturer hired Neil Sadick from the Weill Medical College at Cornell University's Department of Dermatology to conduct a clinical trial, which demonstrated a significant reduction in periorbital wrinkles and improvements in skin tone, clarity, smoothness and elasticity in participants.

When buying an at-home LED machine, experts advise to look for FDA approval, which means the device does what the manufacturer claims it does. Evis Marvel-Mini from Ageless Beauty Corporation offers three hand-hand LED devices that treat different conditions—the green to reduce hyperpigmentation, red to banish wrinkles, blue to zap blemishes into outer space.

:: A.Covington for Beautiful Me

Blue Crush

Hold on to your leg warmers and crank up the George Michael, vibrant blues and purples are making their way into a mascara tube near you. This spring is all about bold colors for blouses, dresses, trench coats, shoes, handbags and makeup. While playful and daring, turning up the color volume can lead some gals down the wrong path. Fortunately, these colorful tubes go for the subtle factor.

Today’s color mascaras create a surprising brightening effect without looking like you’re trying out for Flash Dance II. Check them out:

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara in Disco Blue.

Almay Intense I’Color Thickening Mascara in Purple Amethyst

Max Factor Vivid Impact Mascara in Blushing Blue

Eye Fly Lash Extender Mascara Fly In Blue

Avon Super Shock Mascara in Navy

Sure, it’s their job to look good and they have plenty of help achieving their beauty goals but that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t look as good as our favorite celebrities.

One tip celebrities learn early on is that beauty is achieved from the inside out and prevention is key. Going under the knife these days draws as much scrutiny as a bad beach photo showing dimpled thighs and belly fat. Celebrities are simply supposed to look fabulous but without showing the obvious signs of how they achieved the results. But we all know that nothing happens by magic.

We’ve asked celebrity makeup artists, skincare specialists, nutritionists, doctors and other professionals that work with today’s hottest celebrities to share some of the secrets to treating common skin complaints and achieving younger looking, radiant skin at any age.

Protect Skin from the Environment

Stars like Kate Hudson know that protecting their skin from harsh UV rays and environmental irritants helps to preserve the skin’s precious collagen reserves. Kate is a fan of Juice Beauty Green Apple Antioxidant Serum. 

Actress Cate Blanchett turns to N.V. Perricone Olive Oil Polyphenols Nutrient Face Fortifier (Whew! What a name!) to keep her skin protected with antioxidant packed polyphenols, which also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Super Hydration

It’s all about the dewy complexion in Hollywood. So if you’re skin is as dry as sandpaper, you’d better get to hydrating (dry skin is more prone to fine lines, making you look older). Debra Messing always seems to pull off the quenched look. Try a dollop of Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Serum to lock in moisture (plus the Vitamin A fights the signs of aging).

Ivanka Trump gets her Springtime glow from SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque. Sure, she’s already young but infusing her skin with youth-boosting hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 can keep her looking as young as she feels. Model-turned-actress Molly Sims moisturizes with dr. brandt contour effect moisturizing cream, which plumps up the skin by drenching it with moisture—and moisture is our friend.

Dark Circles

Katherine Heigl relies on Hylexin to stop undereye circles and puffiness in their tracks. The ingredients in Hylexin reinforce capillaries that deposit blood in the undereye area creating those persistent dark circles. So say goodbye to raccoon eyes and hello sexy!

Ashunta Sheriff, exclusive makeup artist to Alicia Keys, offers this advice for making tired eyes look brighter and more rested, “Concealer will definitely take away the appearance of dark circles.  Also, even though this skincare line is targeted for men, I've used Morning After Rescue Remedy Gel by Nickel.  With caffeine, cucumber and other vital ingredients for under eye skin, it perks eyes up quickly and makes them look refreshed.”

Adult Acne

Yes, even supermodels get pimples. Earlier this year supermodel Gisele Bundchen was asked what beauty tricks she’s picked up over the years and responded by saying, “I had a really horrible pimple on my nose, and a makeup artist gave me Nelsons Acne Gel. I kept putting it on, and my pimple went away. I was like, this is great. It doesn’t burn your skin.”

Statistics suggest that roughly 85% of the American population have a problem with acne. The Nelsons homeopathic acne gel actually works and contains no artificial colors, artificial fragrances, or animal products and it is not tested on animals. It’s made from natural ingredients like extracts of organically grown hypericum perforatum, calendula, and arnica.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Don't you just hate it when you smudge a perfectly good pedicure? Living in Minneapolis (yes, I'm a glutton for punishment) getting a pedicure presents some interesting challenges. Either I take my chances with donning my socks and boots after I get my nails painted or brave the arctic air and ice in my summer flip flops. Well, not any more! Bootie Pies may sound like a silly dessert concoction in a trendy cafe but they're like Uggs for pedicures. They look like Uggs but have a special 007 tip that retracts, so you can get your toes painted and walk out into the blustery weather in comfort. So you're toes are still exposed but at least the rest of your feet are toastally wrapped in faux sheepskin.

Sleeping Beauty: How getting enough rest improves your health, sense of well-being and looks

Being well rested and healthy is essential to looking and feeling beautiful. And after all of the holiday parties, you’re probably in need of some sleep therapy.

If you have trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. Our lifestyles have drastically changed but our brains and bodies still have the same needs as they did centuries ago. Sleep deprivation doesn’t get a lot of attention but is the cause of many illnesses and accidents, not to mention cranky moods and lackluster skin tones. Getting the proper Zs ensures that we give our bodies enough time to perform essential healing functions during the night, which keep us healthy and alert.

Continuous quality sleep is essential for feeling your best and functioning on all four cylinders throughout the day, so if you think staying up all night to cram for a test or prepare for a presentation will benefit you, think again. Studies show that students who stay up all night studying earn lower scores than students who get enough rest.

Sleep, or lack thereof, also has a huge impact on the overall quality of our lives. How do you know if you’re getting enough sleep? If sleepiness interferes with or makes it difficult to do your daily activities, you probably need more sleep.

Not too cold, not too hot, but just right …

Temps above 75 degrees and below 54 can cause restless sleep. Unfortunately there is no magic temperature that will ensure peaceful slumber. The temperature that will disrupt sleep varies from person to person, and can also depend on a number of other factors like what you wear to bed and the type of sheets you sleep on. Most experts believe that temperatures on the cooler end are the best because it mirrors what our bodies do naturally when we sleep, which is cool down (except for me, I’m a raging inferno when I sleep).

Here’s how to get it juuuuust right: If you and your bed buddy can’t agree on a room temperature, try turning the thermostat down just at night and pile up with blankets to your degree of comfort. I know it’s a big compromise, but it’s better than sleeping alone, right? Plus it saves on gas and electric bills.

During the summer when the bedroom can get hot, especially if you don’t have AC, you just might wake up feeling groggier than usual. Investing in a window AC is often worth the expensive, otherwise a fan or humidifier can offer relief from sore throats and dryness.

Let there be light … expect when you’re trying to sleep

Ever wonder why we naturally feel tired at night and alert (that is, if you got enough quality sleep!) during the day? It’s because our sleep patterns are regulated by light and darkness. Our biological clock influences when we feel sleepy and when we feel awake, making getting the right balance of light versus dark extremely important. Bright light helps to keep you awake during the day, but when we’re sleeping bright lights can interrupt quality sleep.

Here’s how to make sure you don’t offset your internal clock: For starters, get enough bright light during the day. Make time to get some natural sunshine or buy a lightbox to ensure you’re getting enough real sunlight. At night, the darker the better. Try light-blocking drapes or wear an eye mask.

If you’re waking up earlier than you’d like, increase your exposure to bright in the evening. It could push back the time when you fall asleep, but you will have better quality sleep during the night. If you get up frequently to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, avoid turning on lights or use a nightlight. We’ve all done it—flipped on the switch and felt our bodies jolt in protest. And as expected, it’s harder to fall back asleep when we crawl back under the covers.

Sleeping Surface

This is one area that’s been relatively neglected. Of course we know that high thread count sheets are luxurious and feel better. But what about that old mattress you’ve been sleeping on since the 10th grade (and now you’re 27?). Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t offer the back and neck support you need can contribute to poor sleep, not to mention back pain.

And throw away that nasty pillow for crying out loud. Pillows can store thousands of fungal spores. Yes thousands. And they can do all sorts of mean things to our respiratory systems. Research shows that synthetic pillows harbor more bacteria than feather pillows—as many as five times as many dust mite fecal matter than down pillows. But if you’re allergic to down, like I am, you’ll just have to buy new pillows more often. Plastic allergen covers can cut down on bacteria, dust-mites and other allergy triggers too. Pillows also affect posture, so make sure you buy one that’s right for your sleeping needs.

Give yourself enough space to sleep too. If you share a bed, get one big enough for the two of you. Don’t try to cram two adults on a full size bed. You’ll both wake up miserable.

Other factors that affect sleep

According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 67  percent of respondents reported that their partner snores, 27 percent said their intimate relationship was affected because they were too sleepy, and 38% said they have had problems in their relationship due to their partner’s sleep disorder.

Here’s what you can do: Talk to the guilty party. Ask him or her to seek treatment for a potential sleep disorder from a doctor. Buy silicon ear plus to block out snoring or work out a sleep arrangement that works for everyone. For example, your partner could give you a jump start on getting to sleep before he goes to bed and starts snoring, or you could invest in a bed that doesn’t move when one person flips over or tosses and turns. Just keep the communication going, don’t suffer in silence!

What’s more, TVs, computers, and working in the bedroom can cause poor quality sleep. Violent shows and news reports before bedtime can cause restless sleep or nightmares. The sleep environment should be used only for sleep and intimate acts.

So, here’s what you do: avoid highly engaging activities like watching action shows or horror flicks, or doing work close to bedtime. How do you avoid temptation? Here’s a novel idea. Keep the TV and computer out of your bedroom! Create a tranquil environment that’s centered on serenity and sleep.

And what about our furry friends? The bad news is that cats and dogs can be cuddly in bed, but they may interfere with your sleep. Anyone who has shared a bed with another human knows that sharing a sleeping space can lead to disruptions, but when your four-legged friend gets added to the mix, it becomes even more complicated. Animals frequently move around and jump on and off the bed throughout the night. You may not actually wake up but you’ll probably feel less rested than you would have otherwise.

I know it’s hard to imagine kicking fluffy out of bed, but seriously consider getting your pet its own bed in your bedroom, instead of sharing your bed. After all, if you have more energy you can be a better dog or cat parent!

::A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

Ultra hydrating mask leaves skin smooth

If you live in a seasonal climate, you’re skin is taking a beating from the harsh winds and the super dry air. Even if you live in a warm climate, you still need to feed your skin to keep wrinkles and blemishes at bay. One easy to get extra moisture is with a moisture mask like the Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Mask ($45). Slather on the hydrating mask and 20 minutes later your skin is left feeling soft and revitalized.